Just to try to lighten up this heavy Subject, which I started, I offer this :- someone once who wrote "It is better to live your life believing in God , then die, and find that there isn't , than live your life believing there isn't a God , then die, and find there IS.
Apologies I can't remember whose quotation it is, but the former has always been my Credo.
Much joy to all you who quietly enjoy your religion , but my question was much more prompted by the behaviour of Zealots and people who are constantly claiming to have God on their side or God belonging to their Nation etc. I find them very worrying .
In addition , I simply cannot understand all the pomp/ceremony and dressing-up which goes on - and it is bizarre for me to think that these same people can claim to be nearer to God than you or I .
Amazing !!!
I am of the same type of religious background as Joe Offer - unfortunately I am a lapsed member - however, after a few beers and a night out - I shall bid you farewell as you go off into the night with " Good night-God Bless ", which is my best way to round off an evening.
If you ever use this phrase ( try it ) and you are asked why you said " God Bless " ( by someone imagining that you are being a bit over-religious ) just simply reply "'Cos that's his Job".
O.K.,O.K., I can hear some PC people as I write , God might be feminine - but as they say - that's another matter.
Or as a famous Irish Comedian Dave Allen used to say at the finish of his show " May YOUR God go with you " a phrase which I've "borrowed" for a new Song.